Expensive fares

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

If someone said to me, go from Penzance to Aberdean and you can fly or take the train...! Train wins everytime, even if it does take over 10 hours to get there

I disapprove of flying, What I like about trains is that you can walk to the ticket office, ask for a ticket, get on the train, and your all set to go

Flying... Thats a different story. You have to go through security where if you make the slightest error like forgetting to declare your laptop and MP3 Player, you get jumped and interogated by 6 Security Guards!

I once returned from Spain where I went on holiday and I had a really stressful flight and was in no fit state to speak to anyone. Get to immigration in Bristol Airport... "Where have you flown from today sir...?" I could not remember In fact, The last 4 hours of stress had completely thrown me and I couldn't remember a thing Hence why I stick to trains However all was resolved and they let me on my way

Depends on if its a one off or I do it every week

One off - train - every time

Do it to get to work - fly!  And stay over in a hotel mon-fri - as I did in Belfast recently.

Now - if someone could build a chunnel under the irish sea (ishunnel?) then I could be convinced in future

[plejaren]

If someone said to me, go from Penzance to Aberdean and you can fly or take the train...! Train wins everytime, even if it does take over 10 hours to get there

I disapprove of flying, What I like about trains is that you can walk to the ticket office, ask for a ticket, get on the train, and your all set to go

Flying... Thats a different story. You have to go through security where if you make the slightest error like forgetting to declare your laptop and MP3 Player, you get jumped and interogated by 6 Security Guards!

I once returned from Spain where I went on holiday and I had a really stressful flight and was in no fit state to speak to anyone. Get to immigration in Bristol Airport... "Where have you flown from today sir...?" I could not remember In fact, The last 4 hours of stress had completely thrown me and I couldn't remember a thing Hence why I stick to trains However all was resolved and they let me on my way

trout

trains are fine say on a paddington penzance at 11am getting in like 4pm
where you are probablygoing to have a relatively trouble free not very crowded long and peaceful journey
but this long journey we`ve been discussing crosses 2 peak time periods probably changing as well and maybe catching a tube if via london

in this case i definatly think plane even with boarding etc is stil the more comfortable option

[devon_metro]

If someone said to me, go from Penzance to Aberdean and you can fly or take the train...! Train wins everytime, even if it does take over 10 hours to get there

I disapprove of flying, What I like about trains is that you can walk to the ticket office, ask for a ticket, get on the train, and your all set to go

Flying... Thats a different story. You have to go through security where if you make the slightest error like forgetting to declare your laptop and MP3 Player, you get jumped and interogated by 6 Security Guards!

I once returned from Spain where I went on holiday and I had a really stressful flight and was in no fit state to speak to anyone. Get to immigration in Bristol Airport... "Where have you flown from today sir...?" I could not remember In fact, The last 4 hours of stress had completely thrown me and I couldn't remember a thing Hence why I stick to trains However all was resolved and they let me on my way

Only reason I would ever take the train to Scotland if I had a First Class ticket valid via London. Preferably donated to me. Quite simply, Easyjet is far quicker and cheaper and so much more comfortable than being stock on a Vomit for hours!

[John R]

If someone said to me, go from Penzance to Aberdean and you can fly or take the train...! Train wins everytime, even if it does take over 10 hours to get there

Not many employers will give you that option though if it takes an additional two days of yours (= their) time.

[/quote]
Flying... Thats a different story. You have to go through security where if you make the slightest error like forgetting to declare your laptop and MP3 Player, you get jumped and interogated by 6 Security Guards!
[/quote]

In my experience your bag gets pulled over and you suffer the slight inconvenience of having to watch for a few minutes whilst they dig out the offending items, check that they work, and then watch whilst they put it all back again. Either you're unlucky or you over dramatise things that most of us take as part of day to day tedious life.

[eightf48544]

In my experience your bag gets pulled over and you suffer the slight inconvenience of having to watch for a few minutes whilst they dig out the offending items, check that they work, and then watch whilst they put it all back again. Either you're unlucky or you over dramatise things that most of us take as part of day to day tedious life.

An interesting comment should we put up with things as part of day to day tedious life.

It's often said we don't complain enough so should we put up with high fares for flexibility and the numerous restrictions on travel on advanced and off peak tickets if you don't want to take out a bank loan to travel.

It seems to me a rebalancing by issuing more slightly dearer advanced tickets and less expensive walk on fares would encourage a lot more people to take the train.

[moonrakerz]

you suffer the slight inconvenience of having to watch for a few minutes whilst they dig out the offending items, check that they work, and then watch whilst they put it all back again. Either you're unlucky or you over dramatise things that most of us take as part of day to day tedious life.

I'm afraid that in my experience most of the airport so-called security checks are a complete waste of time. They rely on the terrorist being more stupid than the "security" officer (quite difficult at times !).
If you want to put a bomb in a radio/razor, etc it is not difficult to make sure that the item still works - having said that would a radio work in the middle of terminal x at Heathrow anyway ?.

I once carried a computer monitor back from Germany by air, after x-raying the box I was taken into a side room where the box was opened and inside was - guess what ? - a Samsung monitor - just like it said on the box ! I was then allowed on the 'plane, where the very helpful BA^» (British Airways - about) crew put it into the crew wardrobe to protect it.

[Btline]

I seem to be the only person on this planet who LIKES airport checks, and other security restrcitions.

They are there to prevent terrorism. By passing through thorough checks, I feel safe and re-assured that everything reasonably possible has been done to prevent a bomb getting through.

Yes - it's inconvenient that you can only take 10 ml of water past, that you have to take off your belt and shoes. But it's better than being a victim of an attack!

And don't blame the Police, or the Government for eroding your civil liberties. Blame the people who have resulted in these measures being taken in the first place!

Besides, the measures are actually there to PROTECT your civil liberty to life - the most important one of all.

[John R]

Hear, hear! I usually make a point of making such a comment to security staff in the event that I get my bag picked out for checking, or one of the family fails to get through the metal detector without needing a search. It's always appreciated by the staff.

The only reason security is stressful is if you are late and in a queue, but not because of the process itself.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i wonder how many people travel from the southwest to scotland everyday on business, and how many would be willing to use a sleeper if it existed

[devon_metro]

i wonder how many people travel from the southwest to scotland everyday on business, and how many would be willing to use a sleeper if it existed

I know somebody who frequently does. It's quick and cheap.

[Mookiemoo]

I seem to be the only person on this planet who LIKES airport checks, and other security restrcitions.

They are there to prevent terrorism. By passing through thorough checks, I feel safe and re-assured that everything reasonably possible has been done to prevent a bomb getting through.

Yes - it's inconvenient that you can only take 10 ml of water past, that you have to take off your belt and shoes. But it's better than being a victim of an attack!

And don't blame the Police, or the Government for eroding your civil liberties. Blame the people who have resulted in these measures being taken in the first place!

Besides, the measures are actually there to PROTECT your civil liberty to life - the most important one of all.

There was no evidence that there was ever a liquid bomb - only that in theory it was possible

It took top scientist six months to come up with one - and then it wouldnt be enough to blow a plane!

Having spent five months traveling twice weeklyu to Belfast I have two comments:

1.. Two security lines - one for those who dont have gels liquids or pastes cos we know better, know to take out laptops out and generally take seconds

2. The second security line for the occasional traveller or still thinks they have to turn their mobiles off - no just dont ******* use it in front of the security , who think a litre bottle with dregs in it passes, who despite being told three times they cant take XYZ get to security and still have it

To qualify for line 1 you pass a test and your passport is endorsed - first time you screw up, the endorsement is removed and you queue with the package holiday idiots

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i wonder how many people travel from the southwest to scotland everyday on business, and how many would be willing to use a sleeper if it existed

I know somebody who frequently does. It's quick and cheap.

well the service from cornwall via devon to london and london to scotland exists woudl devon-scotland via say manchester work?

[Feckham]

Hi

Well I dont do Devon to Scotland on a regular basis, but when I do, I'm afraid the train wont get me there in time for the onward connection from Glasgow.

I Hate Heathrow, and always prefer to travel from/to the closest airport, so on the occassions I do have to go the Head Office journey was...

Sunday. Bristol 07:05am- Glasgow Easyjet, (no option Exeter), Glasgow 11:15am - Iceland.
Relaxing afternoon/evening refreshing for work Monday-Friday
Friday night.... Iceland - Manchester, overnight hotel
Saturday Manchester - Exeter Flybe. home 10:00am and job done.

Taking the train on this simply would not be an option.... unless there was the overnight sleeper of course.  Also the cost is ^200 cheaper not using Heathrow.

Fecks

[Btline]

There was no evidence that there was ever a liquid bomb - only that in theory it was possible

Nonsense. Hydrogen Peroxide (formula H₂O₂) looks like water, but can easily cause an explosion as it is a powerful oxidising agent. It is essential that checks are made on liquids - even clear ones.

You don't need to blow the whole plane up, just a hole in the side!

Having spent five months traveling twice weeklyu to Belfast I have two comments:

1.. Two security lines - one for those who dont have gels liquids or pastes cos we know better, know to take out laptops out and generally take seconds

2. The second security line for the occasional traveller or still thinks they have to turn their mobiles off - no just dont ******* use it in front of the security , who think a litre bottle with dregs in it passes, who despite being told three times they cant take XYZ get to security and still have it

To qualify for line 1 you pass a test and your passport is endorsed - first time you screw up, the endorsement is removed and you queue with the package holiday idiots

Good idea, but due to PC-ness it will never happen - more's the shame...

[Chris from Nailsea]

Agreed, Btline!

However, I do have a problem with the attitude of some staff on the security gates at airports, on this point.

A couple of years ago (in times of apparently heightened security), I went through the check-in and security procedure at Bristol International Airport.  In my hand luggage was an overlooked bottle of mouthwash - which was picked up on the x-ray scanner and challenged by the lad on security.  Fair enough, he 'confiscated' it - but his rather smug expression, as he hurled it, with reckless abandon, into the bin behind the counter would, I suggest, have been wiped off his face if it had indeed been a bottle of nitroglycerine, or whatever.